Argue Anwar S Disqualification Suit In Court Not Media Rayer Raps Waytha

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DAP lawmaker RSN Rayer has urged former minister P Waythamoorthy to stop engaging in public discourse over Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s validity as a lawmaker, insisting that the matter should be settled in court.
Referring to Waythamoorthy’s legal challenge questioning Anwar’s qualification as an MP and prime minister, Rayer said the former minister should refrain from commenting on a case submitted for the court’s consideration.
“I wish to respectfully point out to Waythamoorthy that he should, first of all, respect the court process as he has already filed a legal suit seeking to disqualify Anwar as the prime minister. 
“Being a seasoned lawyer, Waythamoorthy should know that it is improper to have a public discourse when a matter is already pending in court,” Rayer said in a Facebook post today. 
ADSHe added that if Waythamoorthy is “confident” in succeeding in his lawsuit, he should focus his efforts on preparing his case and arguing it in court.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and P Waythamoorthy“Waythamoorthy should confine himself to seeking legal redress by presenting his arguments in court, rather than having a public or political discourse about a matter pending in court in the media spotlight,” Rayer said. 
Stressing that Waythamoorthy’s lawsuit is, in effect, questioning the royal prerogative in granting pardons, the Jelutong MP also pointed out that the legal challenge could be prevented from proceeding further due to time constraints. 
“(The lawsuit) may also be time-barred because it was not filed within 21 days after the election results were gazetted, as required by the Election Offences Act 1954. 
“Can Waythamoorthy please answer my question on whether his legal suit to disqualify the prime minister is, in fact, time-barred?” Rayer asked.
Challenge against Anwar’s MP status, eligibility
Earlier this week, Waythamoorthy announced that he had filed an originating summons against Anwar at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, claiming the latter’s status as MP and prime minister is unconstitutional.
Waythamoorthy, who is Malaysian Advancement Party president, seeks a declaration that Anwar’s disqualification as an MP “was never revoked” as part of his royal pardon.
The legal practitioner claimed that the matter involves misrepresentation and the misleading of the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Pahang ruler Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, during Anwar’s appointment as prime minister.
Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad ShahAsserting that the matter has undermined the role of the Federal Constitution and the king’s powers, Waythamoorthy is also seeking a declaration that Anwar’s victory in the Tambun parliamentary seat during the 15th general election on Nov 19, 2022, and his subsequent appointment as prime minister on Nov 24, are null and void.
Two days ago, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) said there is no issue of Anwar being disqualified as an MP and prime minister, as his royal pardon stated that he had been fully pardoned and regarded as a person who had never committed any offence.
‘Pardon was not exoneration’
ADSIn 2018, then-Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V pardoned Anwar over the politician’s conviction on sodomy charges in 2015.
However, Waythamoorthy countered that the royal pardon granted to Anwar before he became prime minister was an act of mercy by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, not an exoneration of guilt.
He also directly challenged Anwar to release the full documents of his royal pardon petition, calling for complete transparency regarding Anwar’s petition to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong that led to his release from prison on May 16, 2018.
Yesterday, Anwar warned against tyranny, be it by majority or minority groups, a remark seemingly directed at Waythamoorthy. - Mkini

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